I said this to my mum as I told her what the Gospel reading was this week.
“I think it was the other way round.” she corrected me, “Mary washed Jesus feet with her hair.”
Of course, I realised my mistake but it made me think. It could be quite a smelly thing for someone to put their feet on your head – quiet dirty, especially in Thai or Middle Eastern culture. But that is what Mary did to Jesus, she put her hair all over his feet to wash them clean.
When we look at the action upside-down it can remind us again of the radical nature of the act. In Thai and Middle Eastern culture you must not point your feet at anyone and you must not even put a hat on the floor. Feet are seen as unclean, and heads as sacred. Even touching a child on the head can be frowned upon.
Feet the right way!
A friend of mine did some work for the Bible Society in Egypt. A picture book of children’s Bible stories was being translated from English into Arabic. The text was fine, but one of the pictures was not. Jesus was sitting cross-legged and his foot was pointing straight at people’s heads! The offending leg had to be redrawn!
And yet, in this week’s story we see Mary throw culture and convention out of the window. She wanted to show her devotion and worship of Jesus and gave both money – in the form of expensive perfume – and herself – though the extravagant and scandalous us of her hair!
How much are we prepared to give to worship God?
The scripture readings for this Sunday will be Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4-14, and John 12:1-8, and we will be singing the hymns O Worship the King, Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart, Forty Days and Forty Nights, and When in our Music God is Glorified!
Palm Sunday Service 10th April 10:30 am – with parading of the palms
Good Friday Service 15th April 7:00 pm – a solemn tenabrae service
Easter Sunday Service 17th April 10:30 am – followed by potluck and Easter Egg hunt
Palm Sunday – Next Week!
Next Sunday, 10th April, is Palm Sunday. Our worship will include the parading of the palms, and hopefully our choir of children from the Youth Charity Foundation will again be with us!
New Small Groups
Tuesday, April 19th, 12pm– small group at Bella Goose Thursday, April 21st, 6pm– small group at the Crawford
More details to follow!
Child Protection Training
Following the adoption of our new Child Protection Policy at our AGM in February, we are offering training to all church members. This will be at the church on Sunday, April 24th at 1pm, following lunch.
Chili Night
A few of the group!
Chili night at the Vicarage continues this Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Every Tuesday everyone in Chiang Mai is invited to Chili Night in the New Vicarage. Chili con Carne, rice, chips, ice-cream, and drinks are provided. Just come along! (But let Father Iain know in advance if you can!) All are welcome.
Prayer Meeting
We have a weekly online prayer meeting. Join us at 9 a.m. on Zoom every Tuesday.
Weekly Offering to All Saints You can still donate in person or online. Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together. God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!
This week our Gospel reading is the story of the Prodigal Son – one of the most famous parables in scripture. In the parable, the son who has gone away and squandered his inheritance is, none the less, welcomed back by his father. This powerful story reminds us that whatever we’ve done, or failed to do, God will always welcome us back.
This is assurance – the knowledge that God will always love us, no matter what! It is at the very heart of the good news of the Gospel – no one is so bad that they must sit at the back of the church by the door, all are fully welcome to be restored and come fully in!
The scripture readings for this Sunday will be Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, and Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, and we will be singing the hymns Praise to the Lord the Almighty, Amazing Grace, Break Thou the Bread of Life, and Born in Song!
Many of you will have met Peter Tarleton at All Saints. His first book, Rainbows & Windmills, will be released in Dublin this week. It looks at the dichotomy between spirituality and religion and asks challenging questions about both.
It can be ordered online, either from Columbabooks.com or Amazon.
Chili Night
A few of the group!
Chili night at the Vicarage continues this Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Every Tuesday everyone in Chiang Mai is invited to Chili Night in the New Vicarage. Chili con Carne, rice, chips, ice-cream, and drinks are provided. Just come along! (But let Father Iain know in advance if you can!) All are welcome.
Prayer Meeting
We have a weekly online prayer meeting. Join us at 9 a.m. on Zoom every Tuesday.
Weekly Offering to All Saints You can still donate in person or online. Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together. God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!
Dear Friends, In this week’s Gospel reading Jesus tells a strange parable. It is about an unproductive fig tree. The owner complains because it hasn’t fruited for three years and asks the gardener to cut it down. The gardener pleads for one more year for the fig tree, but if it still fails to provide figs then it should be chopped down.
Jesus was talking to the people of Jerusalem, but how does this apply to us? Are we useful or useless?
At this time of conflicts in Ukraine and Myanmar what are we doing? The Chase family, who used to attend All Saints and now live in Hungary, are making sandwiches for refugees from Ukraine. Others in our congregation are working with people from Myanmar. All Saints is donating THB 20,000 to help the Karenni people, but what more can we all do?
Chase family sandwiches!
God has placed us in different places with different jobs to do, but we can all ask “How can I be useful?”
The scripture readings for this Sunday will be Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, and Luke 13:1-9, and we will be singing the hymns Christ is the World’s Light, Be Still for the Presence of the Lord, Give me Jesus, and Christ, Be Our Light!
Due to technical difficulties, last week’s sermon was not recorded. Older sermons and services can be seen via the All Saints website!
Covid-19 at the Youth Charity Foundation
Our choir will now not be joining us this Sunday. As of Wednesday, 35 children at YCF had tested positive for the corona virus. Please hold them in your prayers.
Also pray for Khun Tasnee who is supposed to be travelling to Australia for her son’s wedding but is still waiting for her visa!
Potluck This week!
There will be a potluck at the vicarage following this week’s Sunday service. Unfortunately due to the new Covid outbreak, the children from YCF will not be joining us. We will be fewer in number, but can still share with one another. Bring food to share! We may eat inside if the pollution level and temperature is high! All are welcome!
Chili Night
A few of the group!
Chili night at the Vicarage recommences this Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Every Tuesday everyone in Chiang Mai is invited to Chili Night in the New Vicarage. Chili con Carne, rice, chips, ice-cream, and drinks are provided. Just come along! (But let Father Iain know in advance if you can!) All are welcome.
Prayer Meeting
We have a weekly online prayer meeting. Join us at 9 a.m. on Zoom every Tuesday.
Weekly Offering to All Saints You can still donate in person or online. Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together. God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!
Dear Friends, The hymn says “Gentle Jesus, meek and mild”, but was Jesus gentle, meek, and mild? He certainly could be gentle with those in need and distress, and meek means “self-controlled”, so he could be that too at times. But was he ever mild? He denounced the Pharisees and political leaders of his day, he condemned hypocrisy and greed, I don’t think he was ever mild!
Jesus was condemned by the powerful people of his day because he was loud and strong – that made him a dangerous man, a threat to those in authority!
Powerful people don’t kill harmless people, there is no need. Jesus was condemned because he threatened to turn the world upside down – not just turn the tables in the Temple. Jesus knew the danger he was in, yet pressed on – determined to fulfil his God-given mission. Are we ready to do the same?
The readings for this Sunday will be Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17-4:1, and Luke 13:31-35, and we will be singing the hymns Let All the World in Every Corner Sing, Make Me a Channel of your Peace, When I needed a Neighbour, and Now Thank We All Our God!
All Saints believes in giving, and every year we aim to give 10% of our surplus away. This year that amounts to about THB 50,000.
Last week the Church Council met and part of our discussion was how we can support the people of Ukraine and Myanmar at this time. Both conflicts are on our minds and in or prayers, but the ongoing attacks in Myanmar are largely forgotten by the wider world so that is where the little money we have can do the most good.
The Council therefore decided to give THB 20,000 to a community-based organization already providing relief to Karenni internally displaced people in Karenni State. They are in a very critical state and our money will be used directly with the people who need it.
We continue in our prayers for all the people of Myanmar and Ukraine at this time, and stand ready to do more as the opportunity presents itself.
Potluck Sunday 20th March!
There will be a potluck next week, Sunday 20th March, at the vicarage following the service. Our children’s choir will be joining us for worship and lunch. Please see Phyllis about what you should bring!
Chili Night
A few of the group!
No Chili Night this Tuesday as I am at a wedding. It will return on Tuesday 22nd March at the usual time of 6 p.m.
Prayer Meeting
We have a weekly online prayer meeting. Join us at 9 a.m. on Zoom every Tuesday.
Weekly Offering to All Saints You can still donate in person or online. Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together. God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!
This year Orthodox Easter will fall a week later than Western Easter, so Orthodox Christians in Ukraine and Russia will be marking Ash Wednesday next week on 9th March. Repentance isn’t just personal, it can be corporate, it can be national, or international. We are together the body of Christ, not individually.
As we have been anointed with ashes as a sign of repentance, we all have things we need to repent of as individuals, some big some small, but as representatives of our nations we also have things that we must corporately repent of: evil acts committed, or the failure to stand up to evil in the past, the willingness to compromise for financial advantage or political advancement.
Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Wednesday
The situation in Ukraine is on all of our minds – the world is watching. The situation in Myanmar is largely forgotten as the world has turned away. Both nations need our prayers, the leaders of Russia and Burma need to repent, and our own nations need to repent for failure to do enough in the past and failure to accept refugees even now.
War is always a failure, and to choose war when none is needed is the surest folly. The West has become united against Russia, and the situation has become more tense and dangerous. “All” we can do is pray! But prayer is a mighty and effective thing! So let us pray for our world!
The readings for this Sunday will be Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8-13, and Luke 4:1-13, and we will be singing the hymns When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, Forty Days and Forty Nights, For the Bread Which You Have Broken, and God is Love!
The sermons for last Sunday and Ash Wednesday will soon be available via the All Saints website!
Ash Wednesday Service
Annual General Meeting 2022 – Last Sunday!
We has a good meeting following last Sunday’s service. Reports were received from Chris Tananone, our Council Chair, and from me as vicar. The budget for 2022 was approved and an auditor appointed for last year’s accounts.
The following people were elected on to the Council:
Chris Tananone Hannah Alexander-Herrick Katie Wierenga Sarah Sensamaust
Minutes of the meeting and copies of the reports are available at the back of the church or on request. The meeting also approved the adoption of All Saints’ Child Protection Policy. The General Policy can be found here and the Digital Policy here.
Chili Night
A few of the group!
Chili night at the Vicarage recommences this Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Every Tuesday everyone in Chiang Mai is invited to Chili Night in the New Vicarage. Chili con Carne, rice, chips, ice-cream, and drinks are provided. Just come along! (But let Father Iain know in advance if you can!) All are welcome.
Prayer Meeting
We have a weekly online prayer meeting. Join us at 9 a.m. on Zoom every Tuesday.
Weekly Offering to All Saints You can still donate in person or online. Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together. God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!
Dear Friends, This week our bible readings focus on the Transfiguration when Jesus was revealed in shining glory. What is our vision of Jesus like? A holy God, a close friend and brother, a distant figure of history? Our vision probably includes all three images and many more, and will vary over time, but how do we approach God, how do we relate to the divine?
Mark will be preaching again this Sunday, as we contemplate the holiness of God!
The readings for this Sunday will be Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2, and Luke 9:28-43, and we will be singing the hymns Praise my Soul the King of Heaven, Transfiguration Hymn, You laid aside Your Majesty, and When we walk with the Lord!
We also had a very enjoyable potluck – thanks to all who made this possible!
Annual General Meeting 2022 – This Sunday!
Our AGM will be held on Sunday 27th February following the morning service, in accordance with the provisions of our 2021 Constitution.
What does the AGM do?
All Saints is a hybrid church – we are neither fully congregational nor fully episcopal.
In a congregational church, all authority under God rests with the congregation.
In the purest form of congregationalism, all decisions would be taken by vote of a congregational meeting. This would require almost weekly congregational meetings, and so decisions would be made by those who happened to be present that week. In a quickly changing congregation, like All Saints, this could be quite unstable.
In a completely episcopal church, like the Roman Catholic or Orthodox churches, all authority under God rests with the bishops, who delegate that authority to priests. The lay people do not have formal authority in the structure and authority is passed on in the Apostolic Succession. In an independent congregation, like All Saints, this would put all authority in the hands of one person and wouldn’t provide a system for accountability.
So All Saints’ constitution seeks to provide a system of checks and balances, taking the best features from each model.
Firstly, the congregation is the ultimate authority, under God, but delegates that authority by appointing a priest and electing members of the Church Council.
Each year, the congregation elects new members of the Church Council at its Annual General Meeting.
This year, one of our longest-serving members, Helga Spring, will be stepping down. Of the remaining three lay members, Chris Tananone has agreed to serve for one more year to aid transition to the newer council members, Hannah Alexander-Herrick has only served for a year, and Katie Wierenga was co-opted to complete the remainder of Bill Moeller’s term in September.
To ensure continuity, our Church Council consists of four lay seats elected by the congregation, and three clerical seats occupied by the clergy or, in the absence of three clerical staff, nominated by the vicar. Nominations are now closed and four people have been nominated for the four elected positions on the Church Council. They are:
Chris Tananone Hannah Alexander-Herrick Katie Wierenga Sarah Sensamaust
Both Mark Crawford and I have been in leadership at All Saints for a number of years, and so, along with Chris, can provide that needed continuity and institutional memory – but we can be outvoted by the lay members. (Our deacon, Gene Bourquin, has temporarily set down as he explores possible ordination to the priesthood within The Episcopal Church.)
Article 2 of the All Saints constitution states:
“The ultimate authority of All Saints Chiang Mai is the word of God. The authority for the governance of the temporal affairs of the church (such as finance, property, and governance) rests with the congregation and is carried out by the Church Council. The authority for spiritual matters rests with the vicar. If there is a disagreement about whether an issue is spiritual or temporal, this will be determined by the Church Council.”
How can you be involved in the future of All Saints?
Firstly, attend the AGM this Sunday where you can elect members to the new Council.
Secondly, pray for your Church Council members, give them your support, and share your ideas and concerns with them.
And finally, pray for Mark and I as we lead All Saints forward, and carry spiritual responsibility for God’s people.
The AGM will not last very long. There will be a Vicar’s Report, and a Financial Report from Arthur Mann, our Treasurer. The congregation will then be asked to approve the budget for 2020 and elect the new Church Council.
Please be there and be involved if you can – it is your church!
Ash Wednesday – Next Week!
We will have a special Ash Wednesday Service at 7 p.m. on Wednesday 2nd March. This will include the imposition of ashes.
Those of you who were at church last Sunday will know that my car was hit by a motorcyclist last Friday night, following the choir practice at YCF. My car was parked and so I wasn’t involved in the actual accident.
Sadly the man died on Tuesday. Please hold his family in your prayers.
Chili Night
A few of the group!
Mum and I may be away on Monday and Tuesday next week so Chili Night may be cancelled. We will announce whether it will happen at the service on Sunday.
Prayer Meeting
We have a weekly online prayer meeting. Join us at 9 a.m. on Zoom every Tuesday.
Weekly Offering to All Saints You can still donate in person or online. Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together. God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!
A couple of years ago I said to my brother “With Covid the future is so uncertain.” “The future is always uncertain!” He replied. And that is so true, but with God we can be certain that in the end all will be well!
Yesterday my exciting plans fell through. They weren’t very important plans, nothing life-changing, but one minute I had a plan for what I was going to do next week, and the next minute that plan was gone. Sometimes the roller-coaster of expectations can be exhausting, but as Christians we have the promise of Immanuel – that God is with us!
This does not mean that life is always easy – for some people it is very hard indeed – but the promise of God can be a comfort even in the darkest times. I think of a friend from Egypt who has just lost her husband to a sudden heart attack in his mid-forties, leaving her with two teenage children. God is with us – but sometimes life is tough!
So let us take comfort, and pray for one another. Let us show love, mercy, and thankfulness, and let us rest in the Lord’s arms.
The bible readings for this Sunday will be Genesis 2:4-9, 15-25, Revelation 4, and Luke 8:22-25, and we will be singing the hymns Before the Throne of God Above, Christ is the World’s Light, Give me Jesus, and Christ Be Our Light!
This will be our annual pancake potluck as we anticipate the beginning of Lent. Some people have been allocated things to bring, but everyone can bring pancake toppings to share!
Covid at the Youth Charity Foundation
The outbreak is now officially over. Only one girl actually tested positive and half the choir will join us for our service and potluck this week. All is well now – thanks be to God!
New Home Groups – Starting Soon!
All Saints Chiang Mai will soon be starting Home Groups based on the teachings, videos, and book by Brene Brown on vulnerability. Vulnerability has been proven to improve creativity and enjoyment of life. We will be embarking on an adventure together! These groups will be open to whoever wants to learn more about vulnerability in a safe and supportive community. An opportunity to invite friends who do not attend All Saints and even those who never imagine themselves setting foot in a church.
Our time together will include a meal, video or other learning activity, and time for discussion. The groups will meet for approximately 1 ½ hours per week. Please click on the survey below so we can find the best days and time to launch these new Home Groups. Thank you!
Annual General Meeting 2022 – Next Sunday, 27th February
Our AGM will be held on Sunday 27th February following the morning service, in accordance with the provisions of our 2021 Constitution.
What does the AGM do?
All Saints is a hybrid church – we are neither fully congregational nor fully episcopal.
In a congregational church, all authority under God rests with the congregation.
In the purest form of congregationalism, all decisions would be taken by vote of a congregational meeting. This would require almost weekly congregational meetings, and so decisions would be made by those who happened to be present that week. In a quickly changing congregation, like All Saints, this could be quite unstable.
In a completely episcopal church, like the Roman Catholic or Orthodox churches, all authority under God rests with the bishops, who delegate that authority to priests. The lay people do not have formal authority in the structure and authority is passed on in the Apostolic Succession. In an independent congregation, like All Saints, this would put all authority in the hands of one person and wouldn’t provide a system for accountability.
So All Saints’ constitution seeks to provide a system of checks and balances, taking the best features from each model.
Firstly, the congregation is the ultimate authority, under God, but delegates that authority by appointing a priest and electing members of the Church Council.
Each year, the congregation elects new members of the Church Council at its Annual General Meeting.
This year, one of our longest-serving members, Helga Spring, will be stepping down. Of the remaining three lay members, Chris Tananone has agreed to serve for one more year to aid transition to the newer council members, Hannah Alexander-Herrick has only served for a year, and Katie Wierenga was co-opted to complete the remainder of Bill Moeller’s term in September.
To ensure continuity, our Church Council consists of four lay seats elected by the congregation, and three clerical seats occupied by the clergy or, in the absence of three clerical staff, nominated by the vicar. Nominations are now closed and four people have been nominated for the four elected positions on the Church Council. They are:
Chris Tananone Hannah Alexander-Herrick Katie Wierenga Sarah Sensamaust
Both Mark Crawford and I have been in leadership at All Saints for a number of years, and so, along with Chris, can provide that needed continuity and institutional memory – but we can be outvoted by the lay members. (Our deacon, Gene Bourquin, has temporarily set down as he explores possible ordination to the priesthood within The Episcopal Church.)
Article 2 of the All Saints constitution states:
“The ultimate authority of All Saints Chiang Mai is the word of God. The authority for the governance of the temporal affairs of the church (such as finance, property, and governance) rests with the congregation and is carried out by the Church Council. The authority for spiritual matters rests with the vicar. If there is a disagreement about whether an issue is spiritual or temporal, this will be determined by the Church Council.”
How can you be involved in the future of All Saints?
Firstly, attend the AGM on 27th February where you can elect members to the new Council.
Secondly, pray for your Church Council members, give them your support, and share your ideas and concerns with them.
And finally, pray for Mark and I as we lead All Saints forward, and carry spiritual responsibility for God’s people.
The AGM will not last very long. There will be a Vicar’s Report, and a Financial Report from Arthur Mann, our Treasurer. The congregation will then be asked to approve the budget for 2020 and elect the new Church Council.
Please be there and be involved if you can – it is your church!
Chili Night
A few of the group!
Chili Night at the vicarage continues on Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
Every week, mum and I are hosting this open-house, offering chili con carne and rice followed by ice cream. Anyone can come – you don’t have to let us know, just turn up. (Although advanced notice is useful so we can prepare enough chili!)
All are welcome – not just All Saints people. Tell your friends, spread the word!
The address is:
The New Vicarage, 9/65 Ban Ing Doi, Kan Klong Chonprathan Road, Tambon Chang Phueak, Chiang Mai
Weekly Offering to All Saints You can still donate in person or online. Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together. God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!
In this week’s Gospel reading from Luke, Jesus talks of blessings. But is money a blessing? Certainly it is – we need money to live and take care of those we love! But is lots of money a sign of blessing, a sign of God’s favour? Mark addressed this is his sermon last week.
Most of us reject the “prosperity gospel” – the idea that if we are good Christians we should have health, wealth, and the good life. On the other hand, few of us have taken a vow of poverty either – we don’t believe that all Christians should give everything to the poor. It is a dichotomy – how much is enough and how much is too much? How do we witness to God’s love with our use of material things?
Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
When I began All Saints I was a student living on my savings. By the end of the first year I was ready to move into the church office as I had no money for rent or anything else. God then provided me with a job, and now I have a big house and a car. Is that wrong?
I think the secret is that we have to hold on to things lightly. We must remember that all blessing is from God and we need to be ready to share and, indeed, give everything away again, if God calls on us to do so. And meanwhile, we need to be thankful people, giving thanks to God for all God has provided, for it is from God – and not because of our own cleverness or righteousness – but because of God’s love for all!
The bible readings for this Sunday will be Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, and Luke 6:17-26, and we will be singing the hymns When Morning Gilds the Skies, The Lord’s My Shepherd, Be Still for the Presence of the Lord, and Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing!
The good news is that there has still been only one positive case at YCF and so God willing the children should be able to come out of self-isolation tomorrow. Please continue to hold them all in your prayers.
Videos of Sermons and Services
We are currently livestreaming all our services on Zoom as well as recording them on video for later editing and uploading. This takes four to five hours each week, and due to other activities over the Advent and Christmas period I have not been able to keep up with all the services and sermons that need editing.We are planning to buy some equipment to greatly improve our livestreaming and so we can upload the service immediately.
Let me have your feedback! Do you watch the sermons/services if you have missed them? Let me know. We want to know that this would be of value to people!
Next Potluck – 20th February!
This will be our annual pancake potluck as we anticipate the beginning of Lent. Hopefully, some of the YCF children will be able to join us.
Watch this space for more details!
New Home Groups – Starting Soon!
All Saints Chiang Mai will soon be starting Home Groups based on the teachings, videos, and book by Brene Brown on vulnerability.
Vulnerability has been proven to improve creativity and enjoyment of life. We will be embarking on an adventure together! These groups will be open to whoever wants to learn more about vulnerability in a safe and supportive community. An opportunity to invite friends who do not attend All Saints and even those who never imagine themselves setting foot in a church.
Our time together will include a meal, video or other learning activity, and time for discussion. The groups will meet for approximately 1 ½ hours per week.
Please click on the survey below so we can find the best days and time to launch these new Home Groups. Thank you!
Our AGM will be held on Sunday 27th February following the morning service, in accordance with the provisions of our 2021 Constitution.
Nominations are now closed and four people have been nominated for the four elected positions on the Church Council. They are:
Chris Tananone Hannah Alexander-Herrick Katie Wierenga Sarah Sensamaust
The AGM will not last very long. There will be a Vicar’s Report, and a Financial Report from Arthur Mann, our Treasurer. The congregation will then be asked to approve the budget for 2020 and elect the new Church Council. Please be there and be involved if you can – it is your church!
Chili Night
A few of the group!
Chili Night at the vicarage continues on Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
Every week, mum and I are hosting this open-house, offering chili con carne and rice followed by ice cream. Anyone can come – you don’t have to let us know, just turn up. (Although advanced notice is useful so we can prepare enough chili!) All are welcome – not just All Saints people. Tell your friends, spread the word!
Prayer Meeting
We have a weekly online prayer meeting. Join us at 9 a.m. on Zoom every Tuesday.
Weekly Offering to All Saints You can still donate in person or online. Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together. God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!
In this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells his fishermen- disciples that they will fish for people! In other places Jesus talks about the harvest in a similar way. We are all called to gather people in to God’s kingdom – not so that we can save people from eternal damnation, Jesus has already done that for all – but so people can know the blessing of God’s healing now.
Very often we fail to reflect the values of God’s kingdom – our own past hurts and disappointments can make us doubt our own worth, and insecurities flow to the surface – but we have the assurance that God loves us and that we are safe in God’s hands. This should enable us to be generous with our money, our time, and indeed risk are very lives.
Jesus calls us reach out, and this we must do. But we must also reach in, to love one another and even love ourselves. So let us take courage, and invite people into God’s wonderful presence and blessing.
The bible readings for this Sunday will be Isaiah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, and Luke 5:1-11, and we will be singing the hymns Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty, Jesus calls us o’er the tumult, I will offer up my life, and Tell Out My Soul!
Khun Tasnee, the director of YCF, contacted me on Monday to say that there were eight suspected cases of covid-19 at the orphanage. Happily, only one case has actually been confirmed so far and she is in the hospital, but YCF is now in isolation and the children are again unable to go to school.
If it were not for my food poisoning last Thursday, Kaew, Mum, and I, would have been at YCF for choir on Friday, and the children would have been at All Saints on Sunday. Then we all would have had to be self-isolating.
Please hold them all in your prayers at this stressful time, and especially the fourteen year old girl who is in hospital.
Videos of Sermons and Services
We are currently livestreaming all our services on Zoom as well as recording them on video for later editing and uploading. This takes four to five hours each week, and due to other activities over the Advent and Christmas period I have not been able to keep up with all the services and sermons that need editing.
We are planning to buy some equipment to greatly improve our livestreaming and so we can upload the service immediately. Let me have your feedback! Do you watch the sermons/services if you have missed them? Let me know. We want to know that this would be of value to people!
Next Potluck – 20th February!
This will be our annual pancake potluck as we anticipate the beginning of Lent. Hopefully, some of the YCF children will be able to join us.
Watch this space for more details!
New Home Groups – Starting Soon!
All Saints Chiang Mai will soon be starting Home Groups based on the teachings, videos, and book by Brene Brown on vulnerability.
Vulnerability has been proven to improve creativity and enjoyment of life. We will be embarking on an adventure together! These groups will be open to whoever wants to learn more about vulnerability in a safe and supportive community. An opportunity to invite friends who do not attend All Saints and even those who never imagine themselves setting foot in a church.
Our time together will include a meal, video or other learning activity, and time for discussion. The groups will meet for approximately 1 ½ hours per week.
Please click on the survey below so we can find the best days and time to launch these new Home Groups. Thank you! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9N3SG36
Annual General Meeting 2022 – 27th February
Our AGM will be held on Sunday 27th February following the morning service, in accordance with the provisions of our 2021 Constitution. Nominations are now closed and four people have been nominated for the four elected positions on the Church Council. They are:
Chris Tananone Hannah Alexander-Herrick Katie Wierenga Sarah Sensamaust
The AGM will not last very long. There will be a Vicar’s Report, and a Financial Report from Arthur Mann, our Treasurer. The congregation will then be asked to approve the budget for 2020 and elect the new Church Council.
Please be there and be involved if you can – it is your church!
Chili Night
A few of the group!
Chili Night at the vicarage continues on Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
Every week, mum and I are hosting this open-house, offering chili con carne and rice followed by ice cream. Anyone can come – you don’t have to let us know, just turn up. (Although advanced notice is useful so we can prepare enough chili!) All are welcome – not just All Saints people. Tell your friends, spread the word!
Prayer Meeting
We have a weekly online prayer meeting. Join us at 9 a.m. on Zoom every Tuesday.
You can still donate in person or online. Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together. God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!
Last week we said a fond farewell to Rebecca and Blaine, Ruthie and Merle, and Dan. (Although Dan will be with us this week for one more time!) This week we will be celebrating Candlemas where Jesus is presented at the Temple and revealed as the Light of the World – and we will have our All Saints Choristers from YCF with us!
Wherever we are in the world, God is with us! Jesus will continue to be the light of Rebecca and Blaine, Ruthie and Merle, and Dan, and all of us. We all remain part of the Body of Christ although separated geographically. This is (part of) the Good News: we never really say goodbye but only au revoir for we will all meet again in God’s heavenly kingdom if not before.
Please hold them, and all the people of All Saints, in your prayers!
The bible readings for this Sunday will be Malachi 3:1-5, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, and Luke 2:22-40, and we will be singing the hymns At the Name of Jesus, Christ is the World’s Light, Give me Jesus, and Christ Be Our Light!
Last Sunday we said a sad goodbye to Rebecca and Blaine, Dan, and Ruthie and Merle, who had been worshipping at All Saints for six, three, and one year, respectively.
They had all become key All Saints people and will be greatly missed as they return to the States. We prayed for them in our worship service and then twenty of us went to Green O’Clock to share in cake and fellowship.
This will be at the vicarage this Sunday following our celebration of Candlemas when the All Saints Choristers will again be helping lead our worship.
New Home Groups – Starting Soon!
All Saints Chiang Mai will soon be starting Home Groups based on the teachings, videos, and book by Brene Brown on vulnerability.
Vulnerability has been proven to improve creativity and enjoyment of life. We will be embarking on an adventure together! These groups will be open to whoever wants to learn more about vulnerability in a safe and supportive community. An opportunity to invite friends who do not attend All Saints and even those who never imagine themselves setting foot in a church.
Our time together will include a meal, video or other learning activity, and time for discussion. The groups will meet for approximately 1 ½ hours per week.
Please click on the survey below so we can find the best days and time to launch these new Home Groups. Thank you! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9N3SG36
Annual General Meeting 2022 – 27th February
Our AGM will be held on Sunday 27th February following the morning service, in accordance with the provisions of our 2021 Constitution.
What does the AGM do?
All Saints is a hybrid church – we are neither fully congregational nor fully episcopal.
In a congregational church, all authority under God rests with the congregation.
In the purest form of congregationalism, all decisions would be taken by vote of a congregational meeting. This would require almost weekly congregational meetings, and so decisions would be made by those who happened to be present that week. In a quickly changing congregation, like All Saints, this could be quite unstable.
In a completely episcopal church, like the Roman Catholic or Orthodox churches, all authority under God rests with the bishops, who delegate that authority to priests. The lay people do not have formal authority in the structure and authority is passed on in the Apostolic Succession. In an independent congregation, like All Saints, this would put all authority in the hands of one person and wouldn’t provide a system for accountability.
So All Saints’ constitution seeks to provide a system of checks and balances, taking the best features from each model.
Firstly, the congregation is the ultimate authority, under God, but delegates that authority by appointing a priest and electing members of the Church Council.
Each year, the congregation elects new members of the Church Council at its Annual General Meeting.
This year, one of our longest-serving members, Helga Spring, will be stepping down. Of the remaining three lay members, Chris Tananone has agreed to serve for one more year to aid transition to the newer council members, Hannah Alexander-Herrick has only served for a year, and Katie Wierenga was co-opted to complete the remainder of Bill Moeller’s term in September.
To ensure continuity, our Church Council consists of four lay seats elected by the congregation, and three clerical seats occupied by the clergy or, in the absence of three clerical staff, nominated by the vicar. Both Mark Crawford and I have been in leadership at All Saints for a number of years, and so, along with Chris, can provide that needed continuity and institutional memory – but we can be outvoted by the lay members. (Our deacon, Gene Bourquin, has temporarily set down as he explores possible ordination to the priesthood within The Episcopal Church.)
Article 2 of the All Saints constitution states:
“The ultimate authority of All Saints Chiang Mai is the word of God. The authority for the governance of the temporal affairs of the church (such as finance, property, and governance) rests with the congregation and is carried out by the Church Council. The authority for spiritual matters rests with the vicar. If there is a disagreement about whether an issue is spiritual or temporal, this will be determined by the Church Council.”
How can you be involved in the future of All Saints?
Firstly, attend the AGM on 27th February where you can elect members to the new Council.
Secondly, pray as to whether you should join the Council – all church members are eligible to stand. Speak to an existing Council member if you are interested.
Thirdly, pray for your Church Council members, give them your support, and share your ideas and concerns with them.
And finally, pray for Mark and I as we lead All Saints forward, and carry spiritual responsibility for God’s people.
The AGM will not last very long. There will be a Vicar’s Report, and a Financial Report from Arthur Mann, our Treasurer. The congregation will then be asked to approve the budget for 2020 and elect the new Church Council.
Please be there and be involved if you can – it is your church!
Chili Night
A few of the group!
Chili Night at the vicarage continues on Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
Every week, mum and I are hosting this open-house, offering chili con carne and rice followed by ice cream. Anyone can come – you don’t have to let us know, just turn up. (Although advanced notice is useful so we can prepare enough chili!) All are welcome – not just All Saints people. Tell your friends, spread the word!
Prayer Meeting
We have a weekly online prayer meeting. Join us at 9 a.m. on Zoom every Tuesday.
Weekly Offering to All Saints You can still donate in person or online. Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together. God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!
All Saints' Chiang Mai 